Omaha daily bee., 1887-05-13

States this complete and beautiful statue.
Amid the interchange OF fraternal greetings
between the survivors. of the Army OF the
Cumberland and their former foes upon the
battlefield, and while union generals aud the
peoples president united at the burial, the
common grei of these magnanimous surVi-
vors and mourning citizens found expression
in determination to erect thls
tribute to American greatness; and thus
to-day in its symmetry and beauty, itpresents
the sign OF animosities forgotten, an emblem
of brotherhood redeemed and token OF a
nation restored. Monuments and statues
multiply through the land and tttingly illus,
trate the love and affection of our grateful
people and commemorate brave and ,patrl-
otlc sacrifices in war fame in peaceful ,pur-
suits, or honor in public station. But from
this day forth there shall stand
at our seat OF government the statue
of a. distinguished citizen, who in
MS life and services combined all these
things, and more, which challenges the ad-
tenderness in every domestic relation, brav-
cry on the Iield of battle. fame and distinc-
ton in our halls of legislation and the high
est honor aud dignity in the chief magis,,
tracy OF the nation. This stately eifigy shall
not fail to teach every beholder that the
source of American greatness is. confined to
no condition nor dependent alone for its
growth and development upon tavec
our r' rational life " beckons to
usefulness and honor those in every sphere
and offers the highest prefcrment to manly
hopes and sturdy honest effort, chastened
and consecrated by patriotic hopes and as
pirations. As long as this statue stands, let
1t be proudly remembered that to every
American citizen tine way Is open to fame
and station until he
Moving up from high to higher
Becomes on fortunes crowning slope
-. The pillar of peoples hope,
The centre OF worlds desire"
Nor can we forget that it also teaches our
people sad and distressing lesson. And
the thoughtful citizen who views its fair pro.
portions cannot fail to recall the ira ledy Of
death which brought grief and mourning to
American citizenship stands aghast and af-
frighted that murder and assassination
should lurk in the midst of free people and
strike down the head of their government,
igin and hiding, place of these hateful
and unnatural things should be
followed by solemn resolve to purge for
ever from our political methods and from the
and misconceptions. which gave birth
to passionate and bloody thoughts.
If from this hour our admiration for
the bravery and mobility of American man
hood and our faith in the possibilities and op-
portunties OF American citizenship be re-
newed: if our appreciation of the blessing of
restored union and love for our government
| be strengthened, and if our watchfulness
q
after partisan spois be quickened,
| the dedcations of this statue to the people
| of the United States will not be in vain.
During the delivery of his ADDRESS, the
| president was frequently interrupted by
| bursts of applause. When he concluded the
| band played HAL Columbia" and the ben
| ediction was pronounced. The troops were
| then dismissed. Secretaries EndicOtt and
| Whitney came during the delivery of the
Grafton.
The statue, which is of bronze. is.the design
| of Sculptor j. Q. A. Ward, who also designed
| the equestrian statue of General Thomas in
this city. IL Is ten feet six inches in height
| and represents Garfield, his face to the west
| In the act of the delivery of an address, with
| his right hand resting on column and the
manuscript held in his left. Recumbent ideal
| figures at each corner of the triangular
| PEDESTAL represent the student. the
warrior and statesmen, typfying the
| three epOchS of Garield's career. The
| bronze tablets above the figure bear a globe.
a trumpet and sword and laurel wreath, in
closing the scales of justice. The inscriptions
upon the shaft are placed upon three sides,
as follows:
Southwest face-James A. Garlield-1S3l-
| 1881.
| On the southeast face-Major General U
| S. ", Member of Congress, Senator, and
| President of the United States of America.
On the north face-Erected by his Com
rades of the Society of the Army of the Cum
berland. May 12, 1887.
| The erection of the statue was authorized
at the meeting of the society at Chattanooga
| select the design and Superiptend its con
structon. The committee this morning pait
over to the sculptor, Mr. Ward, S56,74S, ir
| full settlement of his claim.